Cricket World Cup: Road to the final - Australia

Pool A game 1: Australia (342-9) defeated England (231) by 111 runs in Melbourne on February 14.
There was no better way for Australia to kickstart their campaign than a big win over their arch rivals. Aaron Finch plundered 135 for the co-hosts, while George Bailey's half-century would not be enough for the stand-in captain to keep his spot when Michael Clarke returned.

Pool A game 2: No result between Australia and Bangladesh in Brisbane on February 21.
Cyclone Marcia ensured not one ball was bowled in Australia's second match of the World Cup. It also arguably played a role in their only loss of the group stage.

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Pool A game 3: Australia (151) lost to New Zealand (152-9) by one wicket in Auckland on February 28.
Two weeks after their tournament opener, Australia failed to deal with the swinging ball at Eden Park. Trent Boult (5-27) ripped through Australia's lower order as Clarke's side lost their last seven wickets for just 56 runs but Mitchell Starc (6-28) almost saved the day, only for Kane Williamson to clinch victory for New Zealand with a six.

Pool A game 4: Australia (417-6) defeated Afghanistan (142) by 275 runs in Perth on March 4.
Australia bounced back from their loss in New Zealand by scoring a new World Cup record total. An out-of-form Shane Watson made way in the line-up as David Warner (178), Steve Smith (95) and Glenn Maxwell (88 off 39 balls) destroyed Afghanistan, backing up Clarke's decision to reshuffle his pack.

Pool A game 5: Australia (376-9) defeated Sri Lanka (312) by 64 runs in Sydney on March 8.
Watson was given a swift recall due to an injury to Mitchell Marsh and he took advantage to score 67 and take a wicket in Australia's 64-run victory. Maxwell (102 off 53) again starred with the bat, but Xavier Doherty (0-60 off seven overs) failed to capitalise on his only appearance at the tournament.

Pool A game 6: Australia (133-3) defeated Scotland (130) by seven wickets in Hobart on March 14.
With rain threatening another washout, Clarke sent Scotland into bat when he won the toss and despite a couple of delays, Australia got the job done to finish second in Pool A. Starc (4-14) and Pat Cummins (3-42) were the main destroyers, before Clarke (47) again shuffled the order - this time to give himself a much-needed bat.

Quarter-final: Australia (299-6) defeated Pakistan (213) by six wickets in Adelaide on March 20.
Josh Hazlewood (4-35) never let Pakistan settle at the Adelaide Oval and, despite a slow start, Australia won with over 16 overs to spare, thanks to Smith (65) and Watson (64 not out). A nerve-shredding battle between Watson and Wahab Riaz entertained the fans but also attracted the ICC's ire.

Semi-final: Australia (328-7) defeated India (233) by 95 runs in Sydney on March 26.
Australia failed to make the most of a good start - on the back of yet another strong innings from Smith (105) - but a late cameo from Mitchell Johnson (27 off nine) set the reigning champions 329 to win. India started their chase strongly but soon fell behind the run-rate, with Smith and Maxwell showing sharp skills to run Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni out to take the game away from the holders.